A climate of...?
A few points about my article
Biases, U-turns, and the BBC's climate coverage
If you can be bothered to read these, and the comments generated as a consequence, I'd be interested in how you feel afterwards.
Here is my 2d'worth:
Coming in at this juncture one risks feeling rather like some poor non-com who has been ported into the dead centre of a no-person's land. And one between two mighty armies (if comprising about half a dozen, running along the trenches firing away to look extensive) shoveling ordnance into artillery pieces with no real concern as to where the explosion is, so long as it is big enough to raise a cheer from the 'home tribe's' reserves. So I have to say that I have a certain empathy with the image conjured (at least) by this analogy, as one kindly served a few before trying to help with my education in the past....
564. At 09:28am on 20 Oct 2009, rossglory wrote:
errrr, no. what i have noticed is the following exchange over and over again:
denier: can you explain why the sky is green?
alarmist: the latest science shows it's not green but blue.
denier: can you explain why the sky is green?
alarmist: the latest science shows it's not green but blue.
denier: can you explain why the sky is green?
alarmist: i think i'm wasting my time
denier: has anyone noticed alarmists refusing to answer questions?
But, in the spirit of 'balance', I just wonder if it might not be a tad more reflective of the situation(s) (literal and figurative) as follows....
'extreme pessimist': the latest science shows blue skies will turn green unless man stops turning it that way
'extreme optimist' that many 'extreme pessimists' like teasing... and deserve to be: No it's not
'Still neutral': You're right, but I'm unsure how much man really is involved to the level demanded and need to be convinced more before committing the whole farm to serve 'solving' things in the rather selective ways advocated by some.
'Some pessimists' (to any not conforming) : the latest science shows blue skies will turn green unless man stops turning it that way, and by even having doubts you are not with us, and thus need to be shut up or dealt with.
...etc...
Anyone noticed some folk (if from all various 'corners') see things only their way and will not even grant the possibility that there is another view that at the very least deserves to be explored and/or heard?
'If only God the gift hae gae us, to see ourselves as others see us'
Let the bombardments recommence (with, I suspect, the odd frag grenade arriving in my shell hole from various trenches)!
My reply was mainly prompted by this post rather twisting the argument to suit from the off. There was a status quo which has been challenged for change by some who have taken a very absolutist view. Many, myself included, are not comfortable with this, or the methods chosen thus far. Especially to find myself targeted as a 'denier', which makes me feel 'resistant' to this grouping holding sway. I hope my innocent suggestion will be appreciated for laying that conceit bare.
I also stand ready to be accused of being in the pay of someone or other, or at least in league. Which is kinda funny as the ones throwing such accusations around seem to be mostly from the crew cheerfully suggesting they all meet back in the forum they have created to deal with 'wrong thinking folk'.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Lions lead by Mynah birds
Just tweeted this. Decided it warrants a post.
Obama could go to Copenhagen, but only if the talks go well
Statesmen? What are they...11?
'In other words, if everything goes well, and it is clear that a historic climate agreement can be reached, president Obama will be prepared to turn up to share in the glory. If the meeting looks like being a horrible mess, ending up in acrimony and recrimination, we should expect the president to keep several thousand miles between him and the smell of failure.'
Mind you... 'Mr Brown said he would definitely go to Copenhagen, and urged other leaders to do the same.'
If any other 'leaders' learn from history, they'll keep several thousand miles from the smell of failure, too.
Newsnight - Ethical Man - Climate conference 'set to fail' (at least the headline is the less dramatic way round this time)
Is 'set to' the same as 'will'?
Anyway, interesting, as I read this the same day, coincidentally in the FT
Obama could go to Copenhagen, but only if the talks go well
I'm guessing that might mean a 'with regrets' RSVP then?
No photo-op, no President? All those Nobel gestures in vain, too.
When expectations get pre-managed too much, the outcome seems seldom optimal.
I am sure that if he passes he will be sorely missed, especially by our PM.
Enjoy the trip to America.
I forgot to add... 'again... and it's such a pity the BBC has no US-based reporters', as there is a certain irony in the sheer number of times a BBC employee ethically flies in the name of green 'awareness', especially in the name of get upwards of two readers... often.)
Obama could go to Copenhagen, but only if the talks go well
Statesmen? What are they...11?
'In other words, if everything goes well, and it is clear that a historic climate agreement can be reached, president Obama will be prepared to turn up to share in the glory. If the meeting looks like being a horrible mess, ending up in acrimony and recrimination, we should expect the president to keep several thousand miles between him and the smell of failure.'
Mind you... 'Mr Brown said he would definitely go to Copenhagen, and urged other leaders to do the same.'
If any other 'leaders' learn from history, they'll keep several thousand miles from the smell of failure, too.
Newsnight - Ethical Man - Climate conference 'set to fail' (at least the headline is the less dramatic way round this time)
Is 'set to' the same as 'will'?
Anyway, interesting, as I read this the same day, coincidentally in the FT
Obama could go to Copenhagen, but only if the talks go well
I'm guessing that might mean a 'with regrets' RSVP then?
No photo-op, no President? All those Nobel gestures in vain, too.
When expectations get pre-managed too much, the outcome seems seldom optimal.
I am sure that if he passes he will be sorely missed, especially by our PM.
Enjoy the trip to America.
I forgot to add... 'again... and it's such a pity the BBC has no US-based reporters', as there is a certain irony in the sheer number of times a BBC employee ethically flies in the name of green 'awareness', especially in the name of get upwards of two readers... often.)
Monday, October 19, 2009
RE:VIEW - BIS Show - inspiration vs. perspiration
Captions:
1. Lights, camera... cancel! My 15seconds of fame dropped as footage of a reality star comes in.
2 & 3. Big media draws.
4. The BBC surveys a major exhibit.
5. I decide an empty stand deserves the Junkk treatment.
I once wrote a song entitled 'The Buffet of Broken Dreams'.
It was when we were at a music event in the USA, and I came across a table strewn with CDs and tapes that various attendees hoped an A&R guy or radio station would snatch up.
In reality, they were either ignored or merely taken by others vaguely interested in what the 'competition' was up to.
All the choice stuff was already long on its way, pre-determined by the needs of the organisers, the dark arts of paid promoters, and the need of the media for something interesting and, outside of radio... 'visual'.
Don't mess with the FO
It all didn't start well. Not for me, I hasten to add. I was on a little to lose mission at worse, though events did manage to conspire and collate as the days progressed.
For a start the stands were not ready to take their charges until the last minute, which resulted in much scrabbling by many. Fortunately my design was free-standing and so I had it up and active to insert when ready. But one huge aspect blighted the whole hall, and throughout, and that was the empty stands of those from overseas who had failed to gain visas in time. Some visitors did ask me why they were coming if it was 'The British..', but I really didn't have a problem. So long as the ideas were solid and as well displayed as travel restrictions impose. However there was a certain sense of 'you scratch my show's back, and I'll come to yours..' that tended to shape the way folk were treated. Money talks. Not great, therefore, being a charity case.
Quantity vs. quality?
But soon we were off. The weekdays were a bit disappointing. Few punters, and not many media, who seemed to be more guided by the time-honoured investigative technique of going to the press room and being told who was worth looking at. I lost count of the times various peripheral stand Morlocks like me would try and rugby tackle a passing camera crew or scribe with a notebook, only to have determined PR Eloi ladies run very effective interference.
But breach defences I did, and when I managed to do so the signs were good. Even if luck was not often with me.
The weekend was much more fun, if potentially useless business-wise. But I did meet many, many nice members of the public who did go round all the stands and ask for a demo. None had a problem with RE:tie, understood its function and potential and wished me well as guaranteed users once on the shelves. With luck a few have relatives in high places.
The Gong Show
Awards are great. If meaningful they can be a hell of a boost, both personally and in certain influential places. Even if not so meaningful they can still be used, if with a certain amount of creative licence, to drive some PR.
I had/have no axe to grind this time. I have one of the top awards from an International Show, and have merely added some functionality to that base design. Though I have to say most public visitors were much more interested in that over the 'green' aspects, maybe due to the age ranges that comprised the majority of visitors (quite mature).
But I did find the judging system a bit odd. Basically you needed to be assessed by 3 in total. However, it was just who happened by your stand first, and with no tilt to expertise. And as one judged loved the idea I was at first quite encouraged, until at the end he produced a flyer for his funding service and asked me to sign up. Not, IMHO, the most objective or disinterested way to be judged by your peers.
Hence I was as intrigued as much by what won small (everything won something) as won big. And I really felt for those who had paid a lot, from money to time to emotion, behind some truly great, innovations/inventions, who had lost out to what was often either just a reworking of an old idea, nice prototypes or, frankly, stuff that has been done better by a lot of folk who really have better things to turn up to such shows to promote their wares. And are working in hugely complex areas with decades of research behind and ahead of them, all leading to peer reviewed papers at truly international levels.
One thing I have to give the organisers full credit for was the gala dinner... quite stunning, from venue to layout to food to entertainments.
Concluding
Would I do it again? Doubtful, at least with the kind of invention that really excites me.
But I do have a few that I think may see value in the possible exposure this can lead to. Namely forking out for a stand to stand a better chance of having a tabloid crew swing by to stick a blonde (if I do not supply one myself) next to it and pen 'Cop a load of that' in a jaunty piece about barmy ideas to fill a page. Or to possibly tickle the fancy of Dragon's Den producers looking for fresh meat to throw to their ratings-above-all 'professional' employees.
In short, pretty disappointing, though I did meet some nice folk , some of whom my prove helpful as well. And one is all it needs. It's the digging for the gold dilemma... when do you stop, as that rich seam may just be a few feet further?
The trick is not to invest too much... time, money or emotion... unless you have fully appreciated how the game is played.
Not a lesson I have yet fully mastered, but I am getting better. Or is it just more world-weary?
For all those who suffered at last week's BIS show's 'media day'
Greenbang: We’re all about news, not nonsense
And here's some other thoughts on that:
Gordon Kelly (via ShinyKatie) What pompous anti-PR self important journalist crap: "If it’s not news, we’re not interested" [thx genius]
As one who can see both sides of the coin, especially having been at and trying to promote a show, I tend to err on the notion of 'if you can't say anything good, shut the heck up', but will try and be more productive with : 'If it grabs you, great. If not, there is always the delete key'.
What I mostly witnessed last week by way of the great and good of the media world at 'work' was enough to reduce one to tears, and not just in frustration.
Our 4th estate is mainly just in a state, and for one to try and presume they have a higher ground above others, especially those simply trying to work with them in the cause of sharing a story with a potentially interested audience is... 'quaint'.
I can see Greenbang are trying to correct the fact that most 'news' is anything but, and most reporting is press releases rebranded or tat that will get ratings, and all with near zero thought from 'reporters' or 'editors', but I'd say they have chosen the wrong targets and in the wrong way.
And are now reaping the 'benefits'.
Addendum:
Didn't take long for the first example of our highly professional modern 'news' media at work to arrive:
Girls and Boys were not so alone in Channel 4 reality show
And here's some other thoughts on that:
Gordon Kelly (via ShinyKatie) What pompous anti-PR self important journalist crap: "If it’s not news, we’re not interested" [thx genius]
As one who can see both sides of the coin, especially having been at and trying to promote a show, I tend to err on the notion of 'if you can't say anything good, shut the heck up', but will try and be more productive with : 'If it grabs you, great. If not, there is always the delete key'.
What I mostly witnessed last week by way of the great and good of the media world at 'work' was enough to reduce one to tears, and not just in frustration.
Our 4th estate is mainly just in a state, and for one to try and presume they have a higher ground above others, especially those simply trying to work with them in the cause of sharing a story with a potentially interested audience is... 'quaint'.
I can see Greenbang are trying to correct the fact that most 'news' is anything but, and most reporting is press releases rebranded or tat that will get ratings, and all with near zero thought from 'reporters' or 'editors', but I'd say they have chosen the wrong targets and in the wrong way.
And are now reaping the 'benefits'.
Addendum:
Didn't take long for the first example of our highly professional modern 'news' media at work to arrive:
Girls and Boys were not so alone in Channel 4 reality show
Junkk - ANSWERS
You may know that Junkk.com has a prominent 'Answers' section.
It occurs to me there may be value in listing as they come along (and I am reminded to upload from the archive) various sources of potential information...
Times - Green and Confused - via Environment - accessed via greenandconfused@thetimes.co.uk
Treehugger - Ask Pablo - Send your questions to Pablo(at)TreeHugger.com
It occurs to me there may be value in listing as they come along (and I am reminded to upload from the archive) various sources of potential information...
Times - Green and Confused - via Environment - accessed via greenandconfused@thetimes.co.uk
Treehugger - Ask Pablo - Send your questions to Pablo(at)TreeHugger.com
CATEGORY - POOH CORNER
There has been one waiting on the site since its genesis.
Can't believe I haven't added a blog complement to collate them 'til now.
Warning - Eat lunch afterwards.
Articles
Greenbang - Dung: It’s not waste, it’s fuel
Hepune - NEW - The Scoop on Poop
Suppliers
Ellie Pooh
Can't believe I haven't added a blog complement to collate them 'til now.
Warning - Eat lunch afterwards.
Articles
Greenbang - Dung: It’s not waste, it’s fuel
Hepune - NEW - The Scoop on Poop
Suppliers
Ellie Pooh
Talking the talk, walking the dog
A few decades back, a Unipart commercial scrolled up my TV screen and then, at the end, proudly exclaimed: 'The answer's yes... now what's the question?'.
Now I return to these shores after a career spanning the world, it would be 'The answer is no, as it might go wrong and I'll be blamed'.
And after waaaay too many sessions (funded by the taxpayer) with various quangos and their employees, despite their being in an ideal position to matchmake complementary talents, they all still give me 5 half days just to drop dosh on me so long as I tick a box, and totally fail to understand that what makes innovation pay is a team that takes creation to sale; and not every good idea is generated by a person capable of, much less skilled in drawing up 10 year projections that suggest targets that need to be set but never met once signed off.
Now I return to these shores after a career spanning the world, it would be 'The answer is no, as it might go wrong and I'll be blamed'.
And after waaaay too many sessions (funded by the taxpayer) with various quangos and their employees, despite their being in an ideal position to matchmake complementary talents, they all still give me 5 half days just to drop dosh on me so long as I tick a box, and totally fail to understand that what makes innovation pay is a team that takes creation to sale; and not every good idea is generated by a person capable of, much less skilled in drawing up 10 year projections that suggest targets that need to be set but never met once signed off.
RP - BOGOF (later)
SIR –
Tesco wants to help prevent food wastage by allowing customers to collect their “2 for 1” offers on separate days (report, October 17). Why not just reduce the price of one packet?
Marketing, my poor Ms. Lamb, marketing. It's all about selling, not saving. And if looking like you are saving sells more, then so be it.
That said, I grudgingly concede this 'BTN' (better than nothing) status.
Too many rotting apples at the bottom of our BOGOF barrel.
Tesco wants to help prevent food wastage by allowing customers to collect their “2 for 1” offers on separate days (report, October 17). Why not just reduce the price of one packet?
Marketing, my poor Ms. Lamb, marketing. It's all about selling, not saving. And if looking like you are saving sells more, then so be it.
That said, I grudgingly concede this 'BTN' (better than nothing) status.
Too many rotting apples at the bottom of our BOGOF barrel.
RP - Junkk Male reposts Junk Mail
SIR –
Ninety-four per cent (by weight) of the mail I receive is unsolicited junk. I am threatened with fines and a criminal record if I do not spend my time correctly sorting this rubbish, which adds enormously to landfill and recycling.
The Government could easily require all junk mail to bear a mark, so that those who do not want it could “opt out” from receiving it, while still receiving genuine mail. Of course, the Government won’t do this because the Royal Mail depends on junk mail for its survival. It is one vast, ecologically unfriendly rip-off.
Which is why what comes out of the mouths of most of our pols and WUVI media remoras in their thrall, is hardly worth the paper it's wasted on.
Ninety-four per cent (by weight) of the mail I receive is unsolicited junk. I am threatened with fines and a criminal record if I do not spend my time correctly sorting this rubbish, which adds enormously to landfill and recycling.
The Government could easily require all junk mail to bear a mark, so that those who do not want it could “opt out” from receiving it, while still receiving genuine mail. Of course, the Government won’t do this because the Royal Mail depends on junk mail for its survival. It is one vast, ecologically unfriendly rip-off.
Which is why what comes out of the mouths of most of our pols and WUVI media remoras in their thrall, is hardly worth the paper it's wasted on.
BLESS
Patrician Scotland
Truly, a 'Government Of All Talents'
I guess we get what we pay (though the nose) for.
Truly, a 'Government Of All Talents'
I guess we get what we pay (though the nose) for.
It... was... good to be back
Gordon Brown to warn of heatwaves and flooding if climate change deal fails
I already have a problem with this new reporting trend of telling us what folk 'will say'.
And hence, when I switched on a wee while ago to hear him saying it, I was even more crushed by the clunkiness of the message than its mere delivery managed.
The man is the kiss of death to any decent message on any worthy topic.
Telegraph - Forget Al Gore: Gordon Brown is the new Scaremonger in Chief - at least Al Gore has been concerned consistently for decades. As opposed to the last few sound bites.
Ch 4 - NEW - an email intro: CLIMATE CHANGE
Having saved the world from economic disaster, Gordon Brown has set forth to save the climate change summit in Copenhagen.
He has hijacked an economic forum of leaders gathered in London to deliver a speech in which he declares "there are 50 days to save the climate".
It comes at a time when the possibility that America might just manage to come up with some serious measures in time for Copenhagen, is becoming stronger.
Tonight, the chances that Copenhagen will either be scuppered or succeed. We will be talking live to Washington for an assessment of where the critical votes in the US senate now lie.
PM warns of 'catastrophic' climate future: http://bit.ly/1OZ0MB
Copenhagen: deal or no deal?: http://bit.ly/1nYnM8
I already have a problem with this new reporting trend of telling us what folk 'will say'.
And hence, when I switched on a wee while ago to hear him saying it, I was even more crushed by the clunkiness of the message than its mere delivery managed.
The man is the kiss of death to any decent message on any worthy topic.
Telegraph - Forget Al Gore: Gordon Brown is the new Scaremonger in Chief - at least Al Gore has been concerned consistently for decades. As opposed to the last few sound bites.
Ch 4 - NEW - an email intro: CLIMATE CHANGE
Having saved the world from economic disaster, Gordon Brown has set forth to save the climate change summit in Copenhagen.
He has hijacked an economic forum of leaders gathered in London to deliver a speech in which he declares "there are 50 days to save the climate".
It comes at a time when the possibility that America might just manage to come up with some serious measures in time for Copenhagen, is becoming stronger.
Tonight, the chances that Copenhagen will either be scuppered or succeed. We will be talking live to Washington for an assessment of where the critical votes in the US senate now lie.
PM warns of 'catastrophic' climate future: http://bit.ly/1OZ0MB
Copenhagen: deal or no deal?: http://bit.ly/1nYnM8
Sunday, October 18, 2009
QUOTE OF THE DAY - One man's...
"It's only funny if someone else laughs along"
Me (again... until suggested otherwise... again)
Me (again... until suggested otherwise... again)
QUOTE OF THE DAY - Last rights:0
"It's always good to have a laugh. Especially when it's the last one"
(Me... until suggested otherwise)
(Me... until suggested otherwise)
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
The things we do to get noticed
I'm learning lessons still.
Expensive ones.
The drive in to Ally Pally was smooth enough, thanks to the Sat Nav.
So I arrived at about 11am. But it took me to gone 2pm to set up.
Yet another Junkk stand high on reuse but low on ease of use.
I'll post a picture if I can get this lappy to find the drivers for my ancient mobile/camera.
Still, it could have been worse; come media time half the stands were still bare. Seems the visa guys had not smiled on most of the overseas exhibitors.
So you might imagine that would have given me a clear shot at the London media.
Not a bit of it. These guys do not arrive and find out. They arrive at expect to be guided.
Hence... next time hire a local savvy PR.
The number of times a promising opportunity got missed as a brisk, brusque lady in a black suit arrived with a clipboard and told the journos where to go next.
But I did my best. A BBC guy (I think) called Graham Satchel gave me a few minutes, but didn't 'get it'.
A reporter from The Sun took some samples and promised to come back with his photographer, but didn't. I really wanted a slot in a tabloid.
Next lesson of PR: don't let them escape!
My best shot is with GMTV. The upside is a possible understudy slot during tomorrow's Breakfast Show. The downside is being there at 5am... 'in case'. That has meant finding a local B&B (£65!) and a 4am alarm call.
Ah, well, it's certainly not 9 to 5 in the conventional sense I guess!
Play it forward
Hope I got that right.
Not sure if I will be able/have the time to blog over the next few days, so as I head out into the still dark morning (and a series of rush hour nightmares) I share this:
The best shop in London
Here's to those who do, and do so in the best of ways, with the best of intentions.
Next stop... Ally Pally, London!
Do come and visit.
Not sure if I will be able/have the time to blog over the next few days, so as I head out into the still dark morning (and a series of rush hour nightmares) I share this:
The best shop in London
Here's to those who do, and do so in the best of ways, with the best of intentions.
Next stop... Ally Pally, London!
Do come and visit.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Breathing space
Just about to set off, in glorious sun, to the BIS show, when I discover that today is the set up for the big boys.
Tomorrow morning, just before the media arrive, is when we minnows get to play.
M40... do not do your usual at 8am .... pleeeeease:)
The upside is I do get to kiss the missus Happy Birthday tomorrow morning.
The down side is... I am now meddling.
One, thanks to prodding from IT guru David at sound-i, is to create a competition to encourage sign-ups from visitors. Hence, if you come along, you stand a chance to win one of two awesome eco-prizes!
Well, some dryer balls or a bin thing that kinda looks like a huge RE:tie.
As to the rest.... well, with luck there will be some constructive critics in next-door stalls.
And with no 'leccy (too tight to spring for that), I am also wondering if I have enough time to get down the shed and knock of this awesome baby to run my PC:
Pedal-Powered OLPC Laptop for Kids in Afghanistan
Beats standing around all day:) Might even lose the paunch.
What goes up...
Junkk is not just about incentive/reward in matters green.
It is also about fun.
Hence, a big up to....
http://www.rolighetsteorin.se/?q=expriment/pianotrappan
Hat tip: Make it and Mend it
It is also about fun.
Hence, a big up to....
http://www.rolighetsteorin.se/?q=expriment/pianotrappan
Hat tip: Make it and Mend it
Monday, October 12, 2009
Junkk in Action!
Mad panics getting the stand designed.
Even more getting it assembled to check, and then disassembled to pack in the car.
And it's at this point I realise how brittle my precious RE:tie prototypes are.
Enter Junkk.com!
In a celebration of the concept, the perfect container is found.
QUOTE OF THE DAY - sticks and stones
Feeling a bit battered.
But have to get used to it. Being short and half-Scots means that if I don't agree with something, I am usually moved to say so.
I am just surprised at how many seem to see the only way to 'win' an argument is to take the most extreme position... and then stay there no matter what.
"The complete absence of doubt makes for reassuringly impressive armour in the cut and thrust of debate. That is, until an opponent exposes even the merest chink in it."
Perhaps the problem is more that such folk are more interesting in not just 'winning arguments' but totally dominating them over getting stuff done and/or moving on.
I would leave them to it, but these guys to seem to have a stranglehold on the narrative and seem to be proving a real barrier to progress.
If the public gets its head around positive, proactive green initiatives that do not pose significant impositions but do save planet and pocket, then the opportunity exists to move them on, through honest explanation and persuasion, to further measures as they become clear and present as 'dangers' if not addressed.
But using absolutist language to justify either not doing a thing or throwing everything including the kitchen sink down a enviROI-free green hole will not work for me from either 'side', and I will feel obliged to speak out when total commitment to one or other is demanded with no allowance for rational doubts.
But have to get used to it. Being short and half-Scots means that if I don't agree with something, I am usually moved to say so.
I am just surprised at how many seem to see the only way to 'win' an argument is to take the most extreme position... and then stay there no matter what.
"The complete absence of doubt makes for reassuringly impressive armour in the cut and thrust of debate. That is, until an opponent exposes even the merest chink in it."
Perhaps the problem is more that such folk are more interesting in not just 'winning arguments' but totally dominating them over getting stuff done and/or moving on.
I would leave them to it, but these guys to seem to have a stranglehold on the narrative and seem to be proving a real barrier to progress.
If the public gets its head around positive, proactive green initiatives that do not pose significant impositions but do save planet and pocket, then the opportunity exists to move them on, through honest explanation and persuasion, to further measures as they become clear and present as 'dangers' if not addressed.
But using absolutist language to justify either not doing a thing or throwing everything including the kitchen sink down a enviROI-free green hole will not work for me from either 'side', and I will feel obliged to speak out when total commitment to one or other is demanded with no allowance for rational doubts.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
One swallow does not a summer make
... and I have managed to become the anti-christ of two extremes of the 'climate' debate.
Simultaneously!
I could see where this was going...
The BBC’s amazing U-turn on climate change
...and decided to pitch in and make a case for the middle ground (whilst trying to point out to the extremes that the whole issue is highly complex and waaay above petty tribal tallies... such as trying to claim a single BBC report is a 'U-turn'*) but also firmly staking out how I think it is too important to be left any more to the various protagonists who have pitched in so far.
Of course it is but a small aspect of a very complex overall debate.
However, it comes at a point when public trust is being demanded from some quarters that have less than stellar records in this regard, in the run up to some fairly honking great decisions with some hefty, long term price tags attached.
I personally believe the climate is changing, and for the worse, and that ‘we’ sure as heck are not helping so it’s well worth proceeding with caution and mitigating sensibly wherever and whenever we can.
Just as the penned words of one media employee mean diddly squat to the totality, what I write here is NOT support for the ‘all is fine’ brigade to keep on as they have, but I fully concede that a few rather high profile, possibly well-meaning eco types have tried to have their cake and eat it, and it’s gone off.
We need new advocates. But seeing how comfortable most of the ‘green elite’ have become, I am not hopeful.
Because I believe, to date, the communication of the issues to the public (who are key) have been totally mismanaged by usually self-selected cabals in support of often unelected but usually totally inept / scientifically -ignorant / lobbyphilic / target-centric complementary boxtickocracies in the politico / activist / quango / media establishment who can come up with such as this:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment/article6867046.ece#cid=OTC-RSS&attr=1515793
‘Climate change sceptics are to be targeted in a hard-hitting [£6M - that would buy a lot of winter insulation, just as $35M from some other awareness-addicted clowns would buy a few water wells http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8300374.stm ] government advertising campaign that will be the first to state unequivocally that Man is causing global warming and endangering life on Earth.
If the Copenhagen missions from other countries are guided by equal groupings, then the planet is well and truly stuffed.
You persuade through the power of your argument and being honest, un-hypocritical and clear with your audience. The powers that be are now highly compromised in this regard, having been mostly addicted to policies of fine, frighten, guilt and threat too often in pursuit of power and control over legitimate issues of concern that do need addressing. And have been waaaay too cavalier in boosting anything that served their causes. Especially whilst conveniently ignoring a bunch of other stuff which was either too hard or didn’t involve a tariff or taxable offset.
http://www.panda.org/wwf_news/news/?uNewsID=176141
http://www.thegoodhuman.com/2009/10/11/how-much-rainforest-is-destroyed-each-day/
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/10/european-union-corrupt-african-governments-block-stronger-redd-scheme.php?dcitc=th_rss
And now it’s all coming back to bite ‘em on the tush they’ll be screaming ist/zi/inger like Milliband. D when he doesn’t get the pudding he wanted at his birthday party.
I want a better planet for my kids, but I am not prepared to consign them to living it in a small box eating Soylent Green and not going anywhere. Because all that mindset buys is a bit more time.
We need better, more creative minds on this.
All the current batch have managed to do is to make my job a ton more difficult, as I spend all my waking hours DOING stuff on ways to reduce waste and improve efficiencies.
It’s saving planet AND pocket. But even with those clear plusses the audience needs to feel the effort is worth it. Stuff like this either confuses them or puts them off, and gets the door slammed in my face, and those like me.
I can already feel the ‘traitor to the cause’ knives sharpening, but crushing other views has backfired at near every turn, and I think, for the sake of my kids, to save the tree we need to cut out the dead wood and start again.
Heaven knows how, but the alternative status quo under the current regimes is a dead-end creek that stinks.
It got noticed, but not always in a good way:( So I hope this comes across as suitably firm in rejection of partisan demands, but fair:
I have a a dream, and that is meeting the Marketing Director Kellogg’s to pitch my idea for making all their cereal packs reusable.
And I’ll kick off by saying ‘It would all just be junk but for that extra Special K’
That way everyone involved (brand, customer and me) can make money and help the future.
I prefer to go for incentive and reward. Seems to be more reliable.
If you’d like to debate any points I’m making I’m cool. But if it’s playing with names and my calling… not so much.
Just off a BBC post board where some climate change ‘enthusiasts’ (hard to get a snappy descriptor that is accurate and/or not a silly pejorative) reckon those who don’t follow their ‘way’ blindly need to be jailed.
It gets heated. And it seems like too many prefer that to illumination.
Not interested.
Ah well, off now to visit Mum in her home to tell her all we have done this week with Junkk and are going to DO next. Peace will reign. Briefly.
Nowt like being an equal opportunity offender.
*Telegraph
One swallow does not a summer make.
So I do wonder if it is fair, or accurate, to totally project the reporting of but one employee onto the ‘views’ of a corporation, not that ‘they’ should have ‘views’ one way or t’other in the first place. part of the problem, I suspect.
As one interested, I am not clear as to Mr. Hudson’s status, at least as ‘its’ climate change correspondent.
There are surely others in the ‘reporting/corresponding/editing mix (Harrabin, Black, etc), so do they enjoy other, semantically different and hence significant titles, and no specific brief on this odd, rather hard to pin-down entity… climate change?
There is however significance to be sure to be read into the fact that this solo chap’s piece has been seen to stray from… well… best not to get into that.
I sense others have the time and energy to square off on the consequences in days to come.
Addendum: Yet more form the funny farm. There really seems a need on the parst of soem that you offer total fealty to their respective religions. Spooky.
In this day and age, is having your own mind so scary to some?
Still with worrying about the who and less worried with the what of the discussion, eh?
Oddly, just like that other interesting bunch over at Richard Black's (another BBC green/eco climate/whatever reporter/correspendent/editor/whatever (I am sure the difference matters... to someone) who seem so emboldened with the... ahem.. 'success' of a certain Ms. Abbess with Roger Harrabin (another BBC, etc) they seem to figure they, and only they are 'the way', and any dissent is to be dealt with harshly.
I tend to follow a less certain, less dogmatic line. And in a sad era of a need to belong to a tribe, it's my own.
The extra feedback JustinXS and geofftheref on the main protagonist is appreciated and encouraging. I have long had more than a concern that events were being interpreted, narratives enhanced and represenations made fair by folk whose popular reach was not quite matched by their qualifications in matters of scientific investigation and explanation. Mr. Hudson seems a rare, and most welcome exception to the 'rule'. Still just 'a' bloke, mind.
Can't speak for t'other (seems very nice) fellow I seem to be associated with coincidentally on the basis of no more than names with two k's, but since you asked so nicely... oh.. you didn't.
So, sorry, cannot find it in me to oblige:)
It's kind of weird to find myself as an equal opportunity 'offender', as by my stance I seem to have incurred the attention, and ire, of both climate optimists AND pessimists (the best non-judgmental descriptor I can muster for the two bookend camps for whom 'you are either with us or against us' seem shared mantras) simultaneously.
Which is quite a feat, if one thinks about it.
Simultaneously!
I could see where this was going...
The BBC’s amazing U-turn on climate change
...and decided to pitch in and make a case for the middle ground (whilst trying to point out to the extremes that the whole issue is highly complex and waaay above petty tribal tallies... such as trying to claim a single BBC report is a 'U-turn'*) but also firmly staking out how I think it is too important to be left any more to the various protagonists who have pitched in so far.
Of course it is but a small aspect of a very complex overall debate.
However, it comes at a point when public trust is being demanded from some quarters that have less than stellar records in this regard, in the run up to some fairly honking great decisions with some hefty, long term price tags attached.
I personally believe the climate is changing, and for the worse, and that ‘we’ sure as heck are not helping so it’s well worth proceeding with caution and mitigating sensibly wherever and whenever we can.
Just as the penned words of one media employee mean diddly squat to the totality, what I write here is NOT support for the ‘all is fine’ brigade to keep on as they have, but I fully concede that a few rather high profile, possibly well-meaning eco types have tried to have their cake and eat it, and it’s gone off.
We need new advocates. But seeing how comfortable most of the ‘green elite’ have become, I am not hopeful.
Because I believe, to date, the communication of the issues to the public (who are key) have been totally mismanaged by usually self-selected cabals in support of often unelected but usually totally inept / scientifically -ignorant / lobbyphilic / target-centric complementary boxtickocracies in the politico / activist / quango / media establishment who can come up with such as this:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment/article6867046.ece#cid=OTC-RSS&attr=1515793
‘Climate change sceptics are to be targeted in a hard-hitting [£6M - that would buy a lot of winter insulation, just as $35M from some other awareness-addicted clowns would buy a few water wells http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8300374.stm ] government advertising campaign that will be the first to state unequivocally that Man is causing global warming and endangering life on Earth.
If the Copenhagen missions from other countries are guided by equal groupings, then the planet is well and truly stuffed.
You persuade through the power of your argument and being honest, un-hypocritical and clear with your audience. The powers that be are now highly compromised in this regard, having been mostly addicted to policies of fine, frighten, guilt and threat too often in pursuit of power and control over legitimate issues of concern that do need addressing. And have been waaaay too cavalier in boosting anything that served their causes. Especially whilst conveniently ignoring a bunch of other stuff which was either too hard or didn’t involve a tariff or taxable offset.
http://www.panda.org/wwf_news/news/?uNewsID=176141
http://www.thegoodhuman.com/2009/10/11/how-much-rainforest-is-destroyed-each-day/
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/10/european-union-corrupt-african-governments-block-stronger-redd-scheme.php?dcitc=th_rss
And now it’s all coming back to bite ‘em on the tush they’ll be screaming ist/zi/inger like Milliband. D when he doesn’t get the pudding he wanted at his birthday party.
I want a better planet for my kids, but I am not prepared to consign them to living it in a small box eating Soylent Green and not going anywhere. Because all that mindset buys is a bit more time.
We need better, more creative minds on this.
All the current batch have managed to do is to make my job a ton more difficult, as I spend all my waking hours DOING stuff on ways to reduce waste and improve efficiencies.
It’s saving planet AND pocket. But even with those clear plusses the audience needs to feel the effort is worth it. Stuff like this either confuses them or puts them off, and gets the door slammed in my face, and those like me.
I can already feel the ‘traitor to the cause’ knives sharpening, but crushing other views has backfired at near every turn, and I think, for the sake of my kids, to save the tree we need to cut out the dead wood and start again.
Heaven knows how, but the alternative status quo under the current regimes is a dead-end creek that stinks.
It got noticed, but not always in a good way:( So I hope this comes across as suitably firm in rejection of partisan demands, but fair:
I have a a dream, and that is meeting the Marketing Director Kellogg’s to pitch my idea for making all their cereal packs reusable.
And I’ll kick off by saying ‘It would all just be junk but for that extra Special K’
That way everyone involved (brand, customer and me) can make money and help the future.
I prefer to go for incentive and reward. Seems to be more reliable.
If you’d like to debate any points I’m making I’m cool. But if it’s playing with names and my calling… not so much.
Just off a BBC post board where some climate change ‘enthusiasts’ (hard to get a snappy descriptor that is accurate and/or not a silly pejorative) reckon those who don’t follow their ‘way’ blindly need to be jailed.
It gets heated. And it seems like too many prefer that to illumination.
Not interested.
Ah well, off now to visit Mum in her home to tell her all we have done this week with Junkk and are going to DO next. Peace will reign. Briefly.
Nowt like being an equal opportunity offender.
*Telegraph
One swallow does not a summer make.
So I do wonder if it is fair, or accurate, to totally project the reporting of but one employee onto the ‘views’ of a corporation, not that ‘they’ should have ‘views’ one way or t’other in the first place. part of the problem, I suspect.
As one interested, I am not clear as to Mr. Hudson’s status, at least as ‘its’ climate change correspondent.
There are surely others in the ‘reporting/corresponding/editing mix (Harrabin, Black, etc), so do they enjoy other, semantically different and hence significant titles, and no specific brief on this odd, rather hard to pin-down entity… climate change?
There is however significance to be sure to be read into the fact that this solo chap’s piece has been seen to stray from… well… best not to get into that.
I sense others have the time and energy to square off on the consequences in days to come.
Addendum: Yet more form the funny farm. There really seems a need on the parst of soem that you offer total fealty to their respective religions. Spooky.
In this day and age, is having your own mind so scary to some?
Still with worrying about the who and less worried with the what of the discussion, eh?
Oddly, just like that other interesting bunch over at Richard Black's (another BBC green/eco climate/whatever reporter/correspendent/editor/whatever (I am sure the difference matters... to someone) who seem so emboldened with the... ahem.. 'success' of a certain Ms. Abbess with Roger Harrabin (another BBC, etc) they seem to figure they, and only they are 'the way', and any dissent is to be dealt with harshly.
I tend to follow a less certain, less dogmatic line. And in a sad era of a need to belong to a tribe, it's my own.
The extra feedback JustinXS and geofftheref on the main protagonist is appreciated and encouraging. I have long had more than a concern that events were being interpreted, narratives enhanced and represenations made fair by folk whose popular reach was not quite matched by their qualifications in matters of scientific investigation and explanation. Mr. Hudson seems a rare, and most welcome exception to the 'rule'. Still just 'a' bloke, mind.
Can't speak for t'other (seems very nice) fellow I seem to be associated with coincidentally on the basis of no more than names with two k's, but since you asked so nicely... oh.. you didn't.
So, sorry, cannot find it in me to oblige:)
It's kind of weird to find myself as an equal opportunity 'offender', as by my stance I seem to have incurred the attention, and ire, of both climate optimists AND pessimists (the best non-judgmental descriptor I can muster for the two bookend camps for whom 'you are either with us or against us' seem shared mantras) simultaneously.
Which is quite a feat, if one thinks about it.
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